I am trying to print a piece and every time I push the print, this error message “fail to start print” pop up after 5 mins of waiting while ‘preparation for the printing’ on the screen.
The file was not very large, and I have already checked, and it is currently at the latest version of firmware.
I have done the factory reset, reinsert the resin bath and cartridge several time, and restarted the machine several time. I have tried to re-upload the files.
I have tried all the methods that were mentioned in the previous threads that I could find. I also unplugged the machine and wait it for several hours and turned it up again, and it didn’t solve the issue. So far, I had no luck solving this problem.
So, I just want to ask has anyone successfully solve this issue before for the Formlab 3?
Thanks for reaching out.
I’m sorry to hear about your printer displaying the failed to start print error message, but I hope we’ll be able to solve this one quickly.
You already ticked quite a few things off the list.
Here are two more things I would recommend you try:
Doing a Firmware Reflash. You trigger this by installing the most recent firmware twice in a row manually trough PreForm. You can find the newest firmware 2.5.2 following this link. After downloading, head into PreForm → Firmware Update → Manual Update, as stated before, do this a second time after the first installation has completed and the printer has restarted.
If all the systems seem to be working fine, a holdup could be the LPU. There are usually different error messages connected to this, but it is worth a try to give it new calibration data. In order to do this you head into your printer’s menu → Maintenance → LPU Replacement and follow the steps on the display. Once the printer asks you to turn it off and physically exchange the LPU, just turn the printer off, wait for about 5 minutes and turn it back on. The printer will then go through the LPU calibration routine.
If the printer still displays the fail to start print error, it’d be very helpful if we could dig into the data of your specific printer to find out what sensor or system is preventing the printer from starting your print.
Please head into the printer’s menu → System → Upload Diagnostic Info to send the data straight to our server. Open a ticket with us in the customer service team and let us know what your printer’s serial name is (AdjectiveAnimal, e.g. CuteDog or FastSnail).
If you want to gather some more data before reaching out: What would help is a video of the initialization of your printer. Turn your printer off and on again and take a video of everything that happens before it displays the main screen. Seeing which systems are properly booting up (and which aren’t or are taking a long time to do so) should help us in narrowing down what is going on.
Thanks for replying this problem. I have tried all the methods you listed above. However, I still got the same error message.
I did, however, noticed something when I recalibrated the LPU, which I would like to ask if you think that would be the problem.
I have attached the photo I took of the LPU, which it seems that there are a lot of resin attached to the sensor. Do you think that could be the reason?
If so, how do we clean them off without damage the sensor?
Thank you for getting back to me.
If you’re still getting the failed to start print error, I recommend taking the video as described in my previous post, uploading your logs and opening a ticket with us in the services team so we can take a look at what is happening and go at it much more targeted, rather than a broad approach.
While this Roller Holder very likely is not the cause of your issue, it will definitely need to get cleaned.
You can follow this guide to do this, at the end of this article is a .pdf document that I would recommend you to work through (it shows how to take the roller holder off and thoroughly clean it).
Any Update on this I am having the same issue, it does not matter the file I use. Updated firmware did not help.I did the LPU thing as well, I am assuming there is a common issue if me and OP are having the same issue within months of each other.
I thought it was because I hadn’t used the printer in a while. Then I thought it was a software issue. What is frustrating is that the print never makes it to the dashboard so there is no way to troubleshoot.
ok - I followed this advice and now my very pristine and well functioning LPU (which I did not touch but only pretended to replace) has an error which reads:
Unfortunately your LPU replacement has unexpectedly failed with error : PR_ERROR_SCALE_FIDUCIAL_SCAN
Please restart the LPU replacement wizard or contact Formlabs customer support.
I had not problem with this component in any of my prints before - I have only had a problem since updating my firmware - I will try going to a legacy firmware option which I know worked and see if that helps, but now that my printer is convinced I have a hardware problem (which I am certain I do not) I am very worried that this won’t work.
Hey @DoodledDesigns and @Goobi42
A factory reset can be a good idea to clean all current data off the printer and then go for the LPU Replacement Routine again in order to get new calibration data.
The replacement routine can sometimes fail 2-3 times in a row, it is rare but we have seen this happen in the past.
If all this still fails, I’d recommend to gather the data as in my post from Feb 21st and reach out to us in services with the serial name of your printer so we can take a more specific look at the printer in question.
Thank you! The printer now appears to be working - I have a separate problem with the tank not filling, but I think that might be a mechanical issue. Thank you so much for posting.
